Topic(s): Christian Life, Priorities

With all of our hearts let us pray--with all of our energy let us work-to encourage those who have abandoned their first love to COME BACK HOME! May such efforts represent not for us not a program, but a lifestyle. In this article Marlin Connelly explains how some are caught away from the Lord.

The State of Alabama passed a law against owning a Japanese import-not just any import, mind you, but one: Kudzu seeds. Imported from Japan in 1876 to control erosion, this vine has taken over the South. Growing as much as 100 feet a summer-a foot a day this pest has spread beyond the gullies to cover whatever is in its path ... trees, old houses, or power lines. Kudzu now covers over seven million acres in Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama, an area the size of Belgium. Farmers, lumbermen, and utility companies fight an unending battle against this intruder.

What worries me is the ease with which we allow our spiritual lives to be “kudzued." Things which are not wrong in themselves-careers, hobbies, week-ending-have smothered the life out of the personal devotion and congregational involvement of untold thousands. Jesus Himself explained how it happens: "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" (Luke 8: 14).

Don’t Get Kudzued!

 

Sailing the Seven "C's" of Success

Topic(s): Philosophy

• We need a clear conception of what we want, a vivid vision, a goal or set of goals powerfully imagined.

• We need a strong confidence that we can attain our goals.

• We need a focused concentration on what it takes to reach our goal.

• We need a stubborn consistency in pursuing our vision, a determined persistence in thought and action.

• We need an emotional commitment to the importance of what we're doing, and to the people with whom we're doing it.

• We need a good character to guide us and to keep us on a proper course.

• We need a capacity to enjoy the process along the way.

-Tom Morris, True Success

 "...with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible"
-Mt. 19:26

 

The Power of Nice

Topic(s):  Encouragement

HERB KELLEHER, the unorthodox but highly successful innovator behind Southwest Airlines, lived up to his reputation when he found his company in a slogan dispute. It seems that Southwest was using the phrase "Just Plane Smart" to describe its no-frills pricing only to discover that Stevens Aviation, an aviation sales and maintenance company, was already using "Plane smart."

Instead of each side's lawyers unleashing the usual barrage of letters and litigation threats, Kelleher and his counterpart, Kurt Herwald, came up with a unique solution. They'd arm wrestle for the slogan.

They created a media event around the mock battle, charging admission and selling souvenirs. Rather than fight over rights or compensation for use of the line, all proceeds from the publicity event went to charity.

The dispute was settled. Kelleher, 61 lost to Herwald, 37, in what was obviously a setup by the two bosses. But, in another fixed outcome, both companies got to use the line. Their companies got press and television coverage beyond their wildest dreams. Plus they saved what Kelleher estimated to be as much as $500,000 in legal costs.

-Ronald M. Shapiro and Mark A. Jankowski

The P.L.O.M. Disease

Topic(s):  Blessings

YEARS AGO, when a childhood friend of ours was in a foul mood and complaining bitterly about almost everything, her mother would, sooner or later, interrupt the proceedings. "Melinda," she would say. "It seems to me that you've got a bad case of P.L.O.M." This was an abbreviation her mother used for "Poor Little Old Me" disease. She would then send Melinda to her room with a paper and pencil to write down a list of things she ought to be thankful for. When the list was long enough and her attitude improved enough to satisfy her mother-she would let Melinda rejoin the group.

We all adults as well as children-occasionally overemphasize the bad side of things and underemphasize the good. Some of us do it a lot more than others. Yet the fact is, we all have things to be thankful for. It's also a fact that, no matter what your situation, things could always be worse. We all like cheerful people more than gloomy ones. When you personally are suffering from "Poor Little Old Me" disease, it might help to do what Melinda's mother had her do. Take a pencil and paper and write down some of the things you ought to be thankful for. Then start being thankful and cheer up!

-John Beckley